Erika J. Koch

EDUCATION

Ph.D., University of Florida, Social Psychology, 2002
M.A., Wake Forest University, Psychology, 1999
B.A., Emory University, Psychology (Minor, Spanish), 1995

 


ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

 

Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, 2023-present

Associate Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, 2008-present
Assistant Professor, St. Francis Xavier University, 2005-2008

Assistant Professor, McDaniel College, 2002-2005
Instructor, University of Florida, 2000-2002
Teaching Assistant, University of Florida, 1999-2000

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 

Anticipated Regret in Health

Interpersonal Rejection

Self and Identity

Self-Compassion

Self-Esteem

 

 

PUBLICATIONS, PAPERS, AND PRESENTATIONS

 

*St. FX graduate

Journal articles and book chapters

 

Koch, E. J., *Davis-Janes, A., & Franz-Odendaal, T. (2023). Outperformance-related discomfort: Another factor in women’s under-representation in STEM? Sex Roles. doi.org/10.1007/s11199-023-01418-1 pdf

 

Koch, E. J. (2023). Success with a twinge of distress: Antecedents and consequences of outperformance-related discomfort. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12736

 

Koch, E. J. (2022). Imagining the hangover: Anticipated regret and binge drinking. Psi Chi Journal, 3(27), 212-222. doi: 10.24839/2325-7342.JN27.3.212

 

Koch, E. J. (2020). Remembering that “Everybody Hurts”: The role of self-compassion in responses to rejection. Basic and Applied Social Psychology. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2020.1726748 pdf

 

Koch, E. J., & *Totton, S. F. M. (2017). “What’ve I done to deserve this?” The role of deservingness in reactions to being an upward comparison target. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 34(1), 3–25. doi: 10.1177/0265407515619043 pdf

 

Koch, E. J. (2014).  How does anticipated regret influence health and safety decisions? A literature review.  Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 36(5), 397-412. doi: 10.1080/01973533.2014.935379 pdf

 

Koch, E. J., & *Metcalfe, K. P. (2011). The bittersweet taste of success: Daily and recalled experiences of being an upward social comparison target. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33, 47-58.

 

Koch, E. J., & Lomore, C. D. (2009). “This is a public service announcement”: Evaluating and redesigning campaigns to teach attitudes and persuasion. Teaching of Psychology, 36, 270-272.

 

Koch, E. J., & Shepperd, J. A. (2008) Testing competence and acceptance explanations of self-esteem. Self and Identity, 7, 54-74.

 

Shepperd, J. A., Grace, J. L., & Koch, E. J. (2008). Evaluating the electronic textbook: Is it time to dispense with the paper text? Teaching of Psychology, 35, 2-5.

 

Koch, E. J. (2006). Examining the role of self-esteem in psychological functioning. In M. H. Kernis (Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current perspectives (pp. 260-266). New York: Psychology Press.

 

Shepperd, J. A., & Koch, E. J. (2005). Pitfalls in teaching judgment heuristics. Teaching of Psychology, 32, 43-46.

 

Koch, E. J., & Shepperd, J. A. (2004). Is self-complexity linked to better coping? A review of the literature. Journal of Personality, 72, 727-760.

 

Koch, E. J. (2002). Relational schemas, self-esteem, and the processing of social stimuli. Self and Identity, 1, 271-279.

 

Leary, M. R., Koch, E. J., & Hechenbleikner, N. R. (2001). Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection. In M. R. Leary (Ed.), Interpersonal rejection (pp. 145-167). New York: Oxford University Press.

 

Mass media articles

 

Koch, E. J. (2021, March 3). The potential benefits of remembering that “Everybody Hurts” [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://spsp.org/news-center/blog/koch-self-compassion

 

Conference Presentations (peer reviewed)

 

Koch, E. J. (2023, February). Reactions to a high- vs. low-self-compassionate apology after a severe transgression. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA.

 

Koch, E. J., *Davis-Janes, A., & Franz-Odendaal, T. (2022, May). Outperformance-related discomfort: Another factor in women’s under-representation in STEM? Paper presented at the meeting of the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology, Halifax, NS.

 

Koch, E. J. (2021, February). Using anticipated regret to reduce binge drinking: A cautionary tale. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Online.

 

Koch, E.J., Grace, J. L., & Galvez, M. F. (2021, February). Keep your self-compassion to yourself: Intrapersonal benefits and interpersonal costs of displaying self-compassion. Paper presented at the Self and Identity Preconference of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Online.

 

Koch, E. J. (2020, February). Exploring outperformance-related discomfort among women in STEM fields. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

 

Koch, E. J. (2019, July). Imagining the hangover: Anticipated regret and binge drinking. Paper and poster presented at the bi-annual meeting of the International Society for Research on Emotion, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

 

Koch, E. J. (2019, February). Treating oneself kindly when others are cruel: The role of self-compassion in responses to interpersonal rejection. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Portland, OR.

 

Koch, E. J. (2018, June). The ambivalent experience of success: Another potential explanation for women’s underrepresentation in STEM. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research, Montreal, QC.

 

Koch, E. J. (2016, July). Does perceiving oneself as the target of a threatening upward comparison predict missing out on capitalization? Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research, Berlin, Germany.

 

Koch, E. J. (2015, August). The role of self-compassion in response to rejection. Paper presented at the SELF Biennial International Conference, Kiel, Germany.

 

Koch, E. J., & *Totton, S. F. M. (2015, February). Getting what they deserve? The effects of perceived deservingness of an outperformed person on an outperformer. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Long Beach, CA. 

 

Koch, E. J. (2014, February). “What’ve I done to deserve this?” The role of deservingness in reactions to being an upward comparison target. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.

 

Koch, E. J. (2013, January) Evaluating the effectiveness of an experimental self-complexity manipulation. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

 

Koch, E. J., & Weaver, A. D. (2012, June). Imagining the morning after: The role of anticipated regret in friends with benefits relationships. Poster presented at the Social/Personality Section Preconference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, NS.

 

Koch, E. J. (2012, May.) When self-complexity eases the sting of rejection. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research, Montreal, QC.

 

Koch, E. J. (2010, January) Competence and acceptance: Exploring contributors to daily self-esteem. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Las Vegas, NV.

 

Koch, E. J., & *Sutherland, A. K. (2009, February). Success isn’t always sweet: Reactions to being the target of a threatening upward comparison (STTUC). Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Tampa, FL.

 

Koch, E. J., & *Keats, K. A. (2008, February). Experimentally induced self-complexity and responses to rejection. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Albuquerque, NM.

 

Koch, E. J. (2007, January). When doing well isn’t all good: Exploring daily experiences of sensitivity about being the target of a threatening upward comparison (STTUC). Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Memphis, TN.

 

Koch, E. J., & Spoonire, C. (2006, January). Who gets STTUC? Personality predictors of sensitivity to being the target of a threatening upward comparison. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Palm Springs, CA.

 

Reifman, A. S., Reich, D. A., Koch, E. J., Lakin, J. L. Murphy, N. A.., & Silver, R. S. (2005, August). Teaching about attribution theory using Howard Dean’s “Scream Speech.” Poster presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

 

Koch, E. J. (2005, January). How do people explain their self-esteem? Comparing competence and acceptance explanations of self-esteem in an internet sample. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans, LA.

 

Koch, E. J., & Shepperd, J. A. (2004, February). Is self-esteem both a sociometer and a competence meter? In E. J. Koch (Chair), What makes self-esteem? Exploring Some Antecedents and Their Consequences. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.

 

Koch, E. J., Shepperd, J. A., & Jasser, J. (2003, February). Self versus other comparisons in women's weight perceptions. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Los Angeles, CA.

 

Koch, E. J. & Shepperd, J. A. (2002, February). Self-esteem: Competence or acceptance? Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Savannah, GA.

 

Koch, E. J. & Shepperd, J. A. (2001, February). Alternative views of low self-esteem: Uncertainty and range of self. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.

 

Koch, E. J. & Leary, M. R. (2000, November). Relational schemas, self-esteem, and the processing of social stimuli. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists, Macon, GA.

 

Koch, E. J. & Shepperd, J. A. (2000, April). Self-certainty and self-esteem. Poster presented at the Graduate Student Forum, University of Florida.

 

Koch, E. J., & Leary, M. R. (1999, March). Life values and self-presentational styles. Poster presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Savannah, GA.

 

Koch, E. J., & Leary, M. R. (1998, November). Personality predictors of self-presentational styles. Poster presented at the meeting of the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists, Athens, GA.

 

Invited presentations

 

Koch, E. J. (2022, March). Outperformance-related discomfort: Another factor in women’s under-representation in STEM? Paper presented at the Seminar Series for the Biology Department, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS.

 

Koch, E. J. (2007, March). Doing well but feeling bad: Exploring daily STTUC (sensitivity about being the target of a threatening upward comparison) experiences. Paper presented at the Psychology Department Colloquium Series, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS.  

 

Other presentations

 

Koch, E. J. (2022, November). Exploring outperformance-related discomfort among women in STEM Fields: Observations from a focus group. Paper presented at the Hive for Feminist Research, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS. 

 

Koch, E. J. (2015, January). The downside of being up: Perceiving oneself as an upward comparison target. Paper presented at the Psychology Department Colloquium Series, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS. 



PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 

International Society for Self and Identity
Social Psychology Network
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society for the Teaching of Psychology

 

 

UNIVERSITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

 

University Research Ethics Board, 2008-2011; 2012-2015; 2022-2023

Psychology Department Social Affairs Coordinator, 2015-2016; 2020-2021; 2022-2023

Psychology Department Research Participation Pool Coordinator, 2013-2023

Mentor, Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP) Professional Development Mentoring Program, 2021-2022

Committee on Research Integrity (CORI), 2009-2011; 2019-2022 (Chair)

Mentor, Faculty Mentorship Program, 2020-2021

Academic Vice President and Provost (AVPP) Review Committee, 2019

Academic Planning and Priorities (APP) Sub-Committee on Exam Regulations, 2019

Adjudicator for Student Research Day, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019

Animal Care Committee, 2015-2016; 2017-2018

Psychology Departmental Evaluation Committee, 2010, 2013, 2017-2018

Search/Appointment Committee for the Dean of Arts, 2016

St. FX for SAFE (Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace), 2016

Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Coordinating Committee on Faculty Development (St. FX representative), 2015-2016

Faculty Development Committee, 2015-2016

Committee on Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Protocols: Support for Students and Website Design, 2015

Community Alcohol Strategy Alliance (CASA), 2014-2015

Chairs and Coordinators Selection Committee, 2014-2016

Psychology Department Research Ethics Committee, 2005; 2008-2009; 2015-2016

Psychology Department Executive Committee, 2007-2011; 2014-2015

APICS (Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences [now Science Atlantic]) Psychology Conference Organizing Committee, 2010

Psychology Department Curriculum Review Committee, 2007-2009

Psychology Department Library Representative, 2006-2011

Bronfman Lecture Series Committee, 2006-2009

Faculty of Arts Lecture Series Committee, 2006-2009

University Council for Research, 2006-2007

Summer registration adviser, 2006, 2008

Debater in Faculty of Arts Lecture Series: “The Great Debate,” 2006

Psychology Department Advanced Majors and Honours Review Committee, 2005-2006

Honor and Conduct Board, 2003-2005

Academic advisor, 2003-2005

 

External examiner for Master of Science (Clinical Psychology) thesis at Acadia University, 2020

Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Grant Review Panelist, 2019-2020

External evaluator for tenure application at Arcadia University, Pennsylvania, 2015

External examiner for Master of Clinical Psychology thesis at the University of Newcastle, Australia, 2015

Ad hoc grant reviewer, Research Council of the University of Leuven (Belgium), 2012

Ad hoc grant reviewer, National Science Foundation, 2007, 2008

Abstract reviewer for annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, 2007

Poster committee for annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, 2004

Ad hoc reviewer, Basic and Applied Social Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science

Ad hoc reviewer, Cognition and Emotion

Ad hoc reviewer, Cognitive Therapy and Research

Ad hoc reviewer, Emotion

Ad hoc reviewer, European Journal of Social Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Cognitive Development

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Personality

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

Ad hoc reviewer, Journal of Social Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Ad hoc reviewer, PLOS ONE

Ad hoc reviewer, Psychology and Health

Ad hoc reviewer, Review of General Psychology

Ad hoc reviewer, Self and Identity

Ad hoc reviewer, Small Group Research

Ad hoc reviewer, Teaching of Psychology

Textbook reviewer, McGraw-Hill Ryerson (for the 5th Canadian edition of Social Psychology)

Textbook reviewer, Taylor & Francis (for Social Psychology: The Hidden Influences on Behavior)

 


HONORS AND AWARDS

 

University Council for Research Grant, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023

Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Small Research Grant, 2018

McDaniel College Faculty Development Grants, 2002, 2003, 2004

Grinter Graduate Fellowship, 1999-2002

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Teaching Award, 2001

 

COURSES TAUGHT

 

Advanced Social and Personality Psychology

Advanced Social Psychology

Advanced Statistics for Psychological Research

Introductory Psychology

Personality Psychology

Research Methods in Social Psychology

Research Methods II: Research Design & Analysis

The Self

Social Psychology